Daniel Taylor Obituary

I located a scanned copy of Daniel Taylor's obituary from an unnamed newspaper. A listing of Jefferson County papers at the Missouri Newspaper Project yields no further clues to the newspaper's identity if it was in De Soto. It could have been the Jefferson Democrat out of Hillsboro.

OBITUARY

MR. DANIEL TAYLOR--AGED EIGHTY-TWO YEARS, NINE MONTHS

About 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, December 3, 1891, Mr. Daniel Taylor, one of the oldest and most respected citizens of De Soto, departed this life at his residence, the Roberts mansion on Main street. The deceased had been failing gradually in health for some time, still his demise was unexpected. He ate his supper as usual, but, after retiring to bed, rested uneasily and suffered considerable pain till death released him. The interment was posponed till Saturday following, to admit of the arrival of relatives from Chicago. Rev. C.F. Collins of the Episcopal Church, officiated at the residence and at the grave in the city cemetery, speaking in the kindliest terms of the deceased. The cortege which followed the hearse presented an imposing appearance.

Daniel Taylor was born near Zanesville, Ohio, on March 7, 1809, and came West about 1829. He settled first near Bloomington, Ill., when that city could boast of only five or six houses. Later he removed to St. Paul, when that metropolis of the Northwest was still a small village and when Minneapolis had not yet been even platted as a town site. He again returned to Illinois, living in Peoria and other places in the northern part of the state, but finally making his home in Chicago, where he remained till he removed to Missouri. Here he lived alternately in Arcadia and Ironton, and, about ten years ago, came to De Soto, where he remained until his death. His illness was brief, and the wish was granted which he had often expressed--that he might be called suddenly. Mr. Taylor was connected with no church or sect, but was of a very charitable disposition; never passing the needy by without giving a helping hand. He leaves his faithful, loving wife, Mrs. K. T. Taylor, and three daughters, Mrs. Leech, of Wisconsin, Mrs. W.P. Abington and Mrs. Mord Roberts, of De Soto, to mourn his loss.

[end obituary]

The article mentions no tugboat incident. The similarity of names mentioned in the previous post could be coincidental. If he was a boatman in Peoria, it is likely he was navigating the Illinois River. While it is possible he also navigated the Mississippi, that is unknown and the obituary seems to indicate that he resided in northern Illinois before moving onto Missouri. Further research is needed.